Chapter 1495

Yan Nujiao blushed and said: "Master... you've misunderstood!"

Hu Xiaotian said righteously: "Young people's affairs aren't for you old folks to meddle in, are they?"

Ying Po Po angrily said: "Ha, you shameless wretch? Eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot, this old woman will go complain to Princess Yingyue and see if she still manages her philanderer." Ying Po Po's display of might was no small matter; Hu Xiaotian also dared not confront her head-on.

Long Xi Yue also heard the news and rushed over; seeing the scene before her, she instantly understood.

Ying Po Po said: "You came just in time; look at what your prince consort has been up to, trying to seduce my little disciple while you're away."

Long Xi Yue glanced at Hu Xiaotian; although he had previously explained his relationship with Yan Nujiao to her, being publicly denounced by Ying Po Po still made his face burn.

Long Xi Yue smiled: "Ying Po Po really knows how to joke; Xiaotian and Miss Yan have been old friends for a long time. In Xichuan and on Python Flood Island, Yan Nujiao has repeatedly risked her life to save them; this bond of life-and-death is something even I cannot match, and I feel only gratitude toward Miss Yan."

Upon hearing Long Xi Yue's words, Ying Po Po was stunned; she had always thought Long Xi Yue was a gentle, kind girl, and such a temperament usually meant indecisiveness and lack of resolve, yet she never expected her to display such magnanimity at this moment, which truly made her look at her anew.

Long Xi Yue walked over, took Yan Nujiao's hand, and said: "Miss Yan, please rise; I had wanted to have a good talk with you earlier, but everyone's been busy and we never found the chance."

Yan Nujiao looked pleadingly at Ying Po Po and dared not rise.

Long Xi Yue smiled: "Parents' orders and matchmakers' words; Ying Po Po, as your teacher, is like your parents. Parents naturally wish their children to have a good home and happiness; surely no parent wants to see their child weep. Though Ying Po Po scolds you with her words, her heart surely aches for you. Ying Po Po, do you really want to embarrass your disciple in public?"

Ying Po Po suddenly felt her situation somewhat awkward; Long Xi Yue's mature handling exceeded her expectations, and if she caused more trouble she would seem unreasonable. She rolled her eyes and said: "You young people really can't sort things out. This old woman can't be bothered with your trifles." She then turned and actually left.

Only then did Yan Nujiao rise; Long Xi Yue smiled: "Miss Yan, let's go to my room to talk, so we don't disturb their discussion." The uproar was thus easily dispelled by her.

Long Xi Yue and Yan Nujiao walked past Hu Xiaotian; the usually fiery Yan Nujiao now acted bashful like a little girl, not daring to lift her eyes to him. Long Xi Yue gave Hu Xiaotian a faint smile, and Hu Xiaotian felt relieved. Truly my good wife—who else could possess such magnanimity? Although Yue is gentle, she harbors a breadth of spirit rare among women.

Seeing them off, I heard Ganuo chuckle beside me: "Master Hu, you're enviable, having found such a kind and considerate princess."

Hu Xiaotian thought: not only is she kind and considerate, she's also understanding. But given the current era, even someone as noble as Princess Long Xi Yue still regards polygamy as natural, which would be unimaginable in the past. Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized he had hardly thought of his past life lately. The longer he stays in this world, the more he grows fond of it, despite its backward technology. Yet everything feels so novel and thrilling.

Hu Xiaotian turned to Ganuo respectfully: "Madam, it's so late; aren't you going to rest? How is your head injury? Do you need me to check it?"

Ganuo said: "Ying Po Po has already examined me; there's no serious problem, just need a few days of rest and I'll be fine."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Madam, please take good care of your health."

Ganuo said: "I will; for little Ou I will surely live on." Her eyes brimmed with confidence; her heart filled with hope for the future. Because her daughter has returned, her life finally has meaning again, and her heart has regained courage.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Regarding your late husband, I feel regretful."

Ganuo shook her head: "Nothing to regret; he got what he deserved. Master Hu, I will follow my late husband's wishes and lead our people to submit to you."

This was truly unalloyed good news for Hu Xiaotian.

Ganuo added: "I have just one request: I hope you will treat our Red Yi people equally in the future and not interfere with our freedom."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Madam, you overthink. Although the Tianxiang Kingdom gave me Red Wood Creek, I do not regard it as my private property; I only wish to be its guardian, to breathe freely here alongside you, to be your friend, and the true master of Red Wood Creek remains you yourselves."

Ganuo looked at Hu Xiaotian with some surprise, even finding it hard to believe his words were genuine.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Madam, you will come to know my sincerity in time." Talking more is less effective than action; even if he spoke eloquently, Ganuo could not yet fully trust him. But Ganuo is no ordinary woman; her voluntary pledge of allegiance stems from her awareness that as a widow and orphan she cannot hold onto this estate alone and must rely on external strength, and Hu Xiaotian is currently her best option.

Jiang Shaoyang, beaten to a pig's head, saw Hu Xiaotian push the door and enter, and desperately pleaded: "Master Hu, please be magnanimous; don't quarrel with me over trifles. I bear you no ill will; it's all Baheer forcing me, so I acted against you."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Baheer is already dead; your words are worthless to me. A worthless person has only one end." His tiger eyes flashed with icy killing intent: "That is death!"

Jiang Shaoyang cowered under Hu Xiaotian's aura, trembling uncontrollably. Hu Xiaotian deliberately told the guard: "Send him on his way!" He always felt this guy was hiding something; without a strong dose he wouldn't speak the truth.

Upon hearing he would really be killed, Jiang Shaoyang fell to his knees with a thud: "Master Hu... Master Hu... I... I know who killed Baheer!" In his panic he didn't bother with much thought; since he was going to die anyway, he might as well gamble—if Hu Xiaotian thought he still useful, maybe he'd let him live a few more days.

Hu Xiaotian didn't turn, a faint smile curling his lips: "Who?"

Jiang Shaoyang said: "You must first promise to spare my life."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I never bargain with people; say it or don't!" He started to walk away.

Jiang Shaoyang's mental defenses had completely collapsed; seeing Hu Xiaotian so unyielding he dared not mention any further conditions, and wailed: "Shangguan Yun Chong, it's Shangguan Yun Chong!"

Hu Xiaotian halted, slowly turned, fixed his eyes on Jiang Shaoyang, and inwardly concluded that Jiang Shaoyang must be an insider planted by Shangguan Yun Chong in Huoshao City; no wonder Baheer knew the spirit girl's news, no wonder he sent troops—it was all this fellow's scheming.

Under Hu Xiaotian's glare, Jiang Shaoyang's soul nearly left his body; he trembled: "I... I was originally a five-bag disciple of the Beggars' Sect; he is the deputy sect leader, telling me what to do, how could I dare not obey?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Go on!"

Having already spoken, Jiang Shaoyang wasn't afraid to reveal everything; he recounted the whole affair from beginning to end. From his account Hu Xiaotian learned that the Shangguan Yun Chong he saw was actually Shangguan Yun Chong's twin brother Shangguan Yun Feng, and it appears both brothers have come to Huoshao City. The Beggars' Sect suffered a major setback in the Tianxiang Kingdom, prompting them to consider shifting their influence westward to avoid the limelight; seizing Red Wood Creek would both realize that plan and allow them to retaliate against Hu Xiaotian. Yet in their first clash at Red Wood Creek, Hu Xiaotian still prevailed, relying on the spirit girl to thwart Shangguan Yun Chong's plot.

Having finished his confession, Jiang Shaoyang pleaded pitifully: "Master Hu, I've told you everything I know; I haven't done anything bad, and I'm not an important figure—just treat me as a speck of dust and let me go!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then pinched Jiang Shaoyang's nose and shoved a pill into his mouth. Jiang Shaoyang tried to spit it out, but Hu Xiaotian covered his mouth, pressed a finger to his throat, and with a gulp the pill went down whole; it quickly dissolved, leaving a burning sensation in his belly. As soon as Hu Xiaotian released him, Jiang Shaoyang shoved his finger down his throat, trying to induce vomiting.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Useless; this is the Ten Thousand Insect Bone-Eroding Pill. As long as you obey, I'll regularly give you the antidote. If you dare to defy me outwardly while inwardly resisting, once the medicine takes effect, countless worms will breed inside you, sucking dry your marrow and devouring your organs, causing you to suffer torment until death."

Jiang Shaoyang wailed: "Master Hu, I've told you everything; why are you still treating me like this?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm merely teaching you a principle: whoever does wrong must pay the price."

Jiang Shaoyang asked: "Master Hu, what more do you want before you let me go?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Smart of you. You just said the Beggars' Sect will hold a meeting at Red Sea the day after tomorrow; as the landlord of Huoshao City, you surely have a place there, right?"

Jiang Shaoyang said: "Yes... but how can I attend looking like this?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "You not only can go, but you must also bring me along."

Jiang Shaoyang stared at Hu Xiaotian in shock, immediately grasping his meaning: Hu Xiaotian wanted him to smuggle him into the Beggars' Sect's Red Sea assembly. Jiang Shaoyang's heart sank; if his actions were discovered by the sect, he'd surely be branded a traitor and beaten by everyone, yet if he refused, Hu Xiaotian would likely kill him on the spot—he really had no choice.

Three More delivered; good thing it's before midnight, not Zhangyu doing it on purpose—Zhangyu just needed to write an extra update to get this chapter out, leaving some leeway for revisions; if there were no margin, a mistake would make one cry too late; diligent folks keep begging for votes! (To be continued~^~)